Woman&#39;s undergarment



June 3, 1930. H, EDMOND 1,761,278

WOMAN S UNDERGARMENT Filed Jan. 20, 1950 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 Inveaaion-Harrzielyomflednwnd H M B 1 June 3, 1930. H. 1.7 REDMOND 1,761,278

WOMANS UNDERGARMENT Filed Jan. 20, 1930 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Izweniqr:

y M 30%, Y a/ June 3, 1930. H. REDMOND WOMANS UNDERGARMENT Filed Jan.20, 1930 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Patented June 3, 1930 I UNITED STATESvrri'rulq r OFFICE HARRIET LYONS BEDMOND, OF NEEDHAM, MASSACHUSETTS,ASSIGNQR TO THE. 'WII;-

LIAM CARTER COMPANY, .OF NEEDHAM HEIGHTS, MASSACHUSETTS, ACORPORA- TIONor MASSACHUSETTS WOMAN'S UNDERGARMENT,

. Application filed January 20; 1930. Serial No. 421,902.-

My invention relates to womens undergarments, and, more particularly,aims to provide a soft, pliant undergarment which is adapted to serveboth as a shirt" or vest and as a corset, corselet, or sustaininggarment, to confine and mould the figure 1n 9.

- manner heretofore obtained only with a plurality of heavier bulkiergarments, or by a garment of garments of relatively firm,

non-yielding fabric.v J

My invention further relates to and embodies a shaped, sustaining soft,pliant undergarment so constructed both in point of form or shape, andin nature of fabric employed that the desired figure-mouldingcharacteristics primarily accomplished by the form or shape andconstruction, are further accentuated'and enhanced by the constantpresence or existence during. wear of a downward vertical pull producedor delivered between the top and bottom parts of the garment. The meansby which this pull is produced is also provided, in accordance with myinvention, and obviously can be widely varied withinthe scope thereof.

In the drawings illustrating one embodiment of'the invention, by way ofexample,-

Fig. 1 shows the garment as laid out flatwlse;

Fig. 2-is a plan of a fabricblank which maybe used in forming the armentfront; Figs. 3 and 4, on a smal er scale, show the garment in positionas worn, Fig.,3 being a three-quarter front view and -Fi 4a right sideview with the left le positioned slightly to the rear, of the rig t leFig; 5 is a sectional detailed view on thd line 5-5'of Fig; 1; g

Fig. 6 is a view similar to Fig. 2 of a slightly modified but equallyeffective. form v I of fabric blank; and

Fig. 7 is a sectional detail View of the preferred elastic stitching atthe seams.

The garment as a whole comprises a front portion (Sand a rear portion orback 7 suitably secured together preferably by elastic stitching, onetype of which is shown in Fi to he slipped on over the wearers head.Various materials or combinatlons of materials may be employed informing the garment, desirably of a soft, pliant character and light inweight as compared, for example, with elastic webbing made of woven"material and the like such as used in corsets,

girdles and similar garments, the desired fabrichaving but limited ormarkedly restrained elasticity. Preferably I employ, and haveillustrated, a knitted fabric, here- 'in disposed with the knittingwales 8 extending vertically, and being so knittedas to have but slightelasticity even in the direction cross-wise of the wales, as contrasted,for example, with rib-knitted fabrics and others commonly used inunderwear. I may employ a flat-knit fabric. In some cases I may employ.rib-knitted fabric provided however the feature of constant verticalpull during wear is preserved. It is to be noted that irrespective ofthe natural characteristics of the particular fibres or yarns used, theconstruction of the fabric, whether flat knltted, circular knitted orotherwise,

.is of such a nature as to permit a certain amount of lateralcontraction when expanded lengthwise. The knitted looped constructionillustrated is preferred but other suitable constructions might be used,as for example rib knitting undercertain conditions. 4

.A fabric blank from which the front of the garment maybe formed isshown in Fig. 2. As there illustrated, itis an integral piece of fabric,of the character above referred to, comprising amain or body portion 9and an upper portion. or bandeau section 10. The main portion 9 isfashioned at its sides to provide'the set-in waist-con- [fining portion11 which leads downwardly into the portion 12 for moulding andrestraining the lower abdomen; and the hips. The lower edge of thegarment is desirably formed substantially in themann'er illustrated toprovide tab-like extensions 13, 13,

- one at each side of the vertical centre line and connected by thearcuate central portion 14. As shown in Fig. 6, the upp er portion orbandeau section maybe formed as a separate piece-.

The upper or bandeau portion 10 of the garment front, 'in the form as inFig. 2,is somewhat wider than the main portion 9.

The blank, inthis embodiment of the invention, is' slitted inwardly fromits opposite side edges, as indicated .at 15, 15, along gen- --erallyhorizontal but arcuate lines defining leaving substantially verticalcut-out for-' mations to assist in conforming the garment to the bust.In the form illustrated two such formations are let into each bustportion 17, one extending upwardly from the lower edge thereof aboutmid-length of the slit formation 15, as indicated at 18, and a theother, as indicated at 19, let in from the upper edge approximatelyvertically op posite the one first mentioned. It is to be understood,however, that the desired effect may be produced otherwise than by'gores and that any suitable meansfor accomplishing this purpose iswithin the spirit and scope of my invention. In fact, the formation ofthe bust section can be accomplished in] so many different ways, that Iwish itclearly to be understood that I have disclosed but asinglelillustrative em bodiment of my invention, to which, however, I amin nowise limited.

- In forming up the blank the edges ofthe respective cut-out formations18, 18 and 19, 19 are brought together and secured by darts, or othershaping means, as seen at 20, 20 and 21, 21, Figs. 1, 3' and 4. Thematerial of the bandeau section 10 is thus brought in laterally tocorrespond to the 'width of the upper part of the main portion 9,forming two cuppedor pocket-like members, also indicatedby thenumerals'17 in Figs. 1, 3 and-4, the lower edges-of which are seamed tothe main portion 9, as at 22, 22,Fig.1.- 'f I I The foregoing describedconstruction provides two cupped or pocket-like members and the fabricof which the garment is composed and which receives the downward pullatthe lower end (as hereinafter more fully referred to), cooperates withsaid cupped or pocket-like members by accentuating or emphasizingthe'cupping action in that the downward pull insures the fulleffectiveness of the described construction by which cupped .orpocket-likemembers are provided. The same is'also accentuated by theupward pull or pull against the shoulder straps.

The lower edges and theinner side edges of these two members of-thebandeau section are further defined and given additional supportingability by means of fabric strips, preferably of the same material asthe garment as a whole and stitched in position over-lying the seams 22,22. They may be flattened knitted tubes or fabricstrips having theirside edges in-folded, as seen in 'Fig. 5, two lines of stitching beingemployed to retain the strip in that form and to secure it in position.One of these strips, herein the strip 23 at the right, extends from theside edge of the garment front in a curved.

manner across one-half of the bandeau section and thence-verticallyupward to the garment top. The other and correspon ing strip 23aterminates at its point of meeting with the strip 23. It is clearly tobe understood that I have here described and illustrated one only ofmany ways of accomplishing this desired object of my invention and thatI am not limited to that disclosed; It will be understood from theforegoing description that 'I have provided in a gar-- ment of thecharacter described, at the front thereof, transversely extendingreenforcing means at the under-bust part of the bandeau portion to whichmeans the downward pull is transmitted and cooperating. with saidshoulder engaging supporting means to assist the bust-molding anduplifting. Obviously the invention is not limited to the constructionherein shown for this purpose.

The back 7 of the garment as illustrated is likewise formed of a singlepiece of material of the character referred to. Its lower edge alsodesirably is scalloped to provide the tab-like portions 25, 25, Figs. 1and 4,

preferably spaced at somewhat less distance than the similar tab-likeextensions 13, 13 at the garment front. The garment back likewise isfashioned in conformity with the front 6 to providewaist and hipconfining portions cooperating with those of the gar-. ment front tosuppress and mould the entire figure. v

The garment so formed, in the nature of combined vest, corset andbrassiere or bandeau, is closely form-fitting, as seen in Figs.

3 and 4. It (provides extreme trimness but without rigi 'ty, holding-thefigure without loss of suppleness to clear-cut firm lines throughout butespecially at the waist, the

hips and the bust, but at the latter point acting to uplift and roundthe bust while supporting it, rather than merel to flatten it. Thedescribed form-fitting s ape, whilev highly desirable in itself asco-operating toward the accomplishment of my invention, is one nly ofseveral featursfall of which c'oa'ct together in effecting the entirepurpose of iny invention. Particularly does the discal pull, whichlatter feature is of primary importance.

In order to increase the moulding effect of the garment still furtherand to aid in theeven distribution of the desired lengthwise pull, Idesirably but not necessarily employ a plurality of vertical supportingand confining elements suitably disposed about the garment. In thepresent instance two such stay-like but pliant elements 26, 26 arelocated upon the garment front, extending upwardly along slightlyconvergent lines from the tab-like extensions 13, 13 to or substantiallyto -the bandeau' section,-

" meeting the latter substantially centrally of the two bust portions.These elements may be termed self-supports, being preferably ofself-material with respect to the garment as a whole, that is, they aredesirably but not necessarily formed of the same or substantiallysimilar fabric as that of the body of the garment, illustrated as afine-meshknitted fabric. These elements, similarly as the members 23,23, may be formed as flattened tubes or substantial tubes, comprisingstrips having their side edges in turned and so secured, together withthe stripsas a whole, by parallel lines of stitching as clearly shown insectionin Fig. 7 Similar self-supports or confiners 27 27 are shown atthe backof the garment extending from the rear tab-like extensions 25,25.upwardly to or approximately to the garment top. Desirablyalsosimilar confining and supporting devices are placed at the arment sides,as at 28, 28, these overlying t e seam lines which join the sides of thegarment front and back portions 6 and 7. I desire it clearly to beunderstood that the so-called stay-like elements may be applied in agreat many ways and at many different angles, and in certain cases maybe wholly omittedor omittedin part.

In the illustrative form of the invention provision is made for theattachment of.

garters at the lower portion of the garment. Herein for the purpose Ihave illu rated a series of button-holes or like formationstions of theside confiners 28, 28; see Fi s.

3 and 4. Thus arrangement is made or attaching three garters for eachstocking, at front, back and sides, respectively, although a differentnumber may be provided on the vertical members 26, 27 or 28, afl'ordingadjustability in the point of garter suport. It will- 'be understoodthat other orms of garter attachment may be employed, depending upon thetype of garter, as, for example, a reverse construction, thebutton-holes being in the garters and the cooperating securing devicessuch .as buttons, studs. or the like, being upon the garment.Garter-means constitute the preferred way of insuring the lengthwisepullon the garment to which I have repeatedly referred as a primary featureof my invention, while at the same time producing the desired lateralcontraction and keeping the garment continually snug-fitting, etc.

Suitable shoulder straps 33 may be provided at the garment top,desirably having their respective ends secured in substantial alignmentwith the back supporting elements 27, 27 and the similar front'elements26, 26. It will be noted that these vertical elements thus not onlyserve further to confine and firmly mould the diaphragm, waist and hipportions, but also act to distribute the garter strain oversubstantially the entire 'garment, and to carry the major portionthereof directly to the garment-supporting shoulder straps.- Theshoulder straps, of whatever type employed need not bepermanentl seishedin any suitable manner, as by a folding over and securin of the loweredge of the fabric itself, or by the application to the edge of a;similar fabric, or elastic inserts or any suitable binding. In thepresent instance I have represented a tape-like binder or edgelining atits inner face at 34, Fig. 1, which is somewhat or suificiently elastic.The binding may be and herein is a bias binding A similar edging 35 maybe supplied or the arment top, further increasing the moulding andsuppressing effect of the entire garment.

It will be observed that certain features of the invention are alsoapplicable to circular-knit garments, also that the front and rearsections mi ht be formed from a different number 0 fabric pieces than asherein illustrated, the seam lines being conven-v iently located in theline of any one or more of the vertical self-supports, or even 'else-.where.

From the foregoing description taken in connection with the drawings itwill be understood that I-have provided a foundation garment of firmpliant material giving roundness and uplift to the bust and sup-.pression or moulding tothe remainder of the figure, insuring to itdefinite trim lines x but without loss of suppleness and without resortto bulky materials, objectionable side snaps or other fasteners, orother objectionable features, and that a continually snugfigure-moulding fit is insured, irrespective of ,the position the wearernormally assumes,

due to the give and take of the fabric. One of the numerous additionaladvantagesof the garment of my invention lies in the ease with which itmay be cleansed, the arters being readily detachable, whereupon t e garment may be washed and'dried as'easily and quickly as the usual silkvest.

I desire it to be understood that I have illustrated one embodiment ofthe invention and have specifically described the same, but

that the invention may be embodied in garments otherwise shaped-andotherwise constructed than that shown, provided the features.of theinvention be preserved. The garment illustrated and described is adaptedto the present style of dress, but it is clearly to be understood thatthe garment of my invention may be adapted to other styles of dresswithout departure from my mvention, as, for example, by cutting down ithe back, or in other ways not necessary to enumeratespecifically.

While I have specifically described a deslrable construction of bandeausection, it is to be'understood that the invention is not restrictedthereto. Square orosub'stantially rectangular bandeau sections or partsmay be employed and the bandeau part or section may itself be made of aplurality of pieces provided the purpose and principle of the inventionare retained. The garment may be made without stays and is' soillustrated. 1

Furthermore, secondary additions may b applied to the garment, such,forexample, as skirts, bloomers, pants or the like. I Therefore, theinvention is not limited to a garment of the length indicated in thedrawings.

Furthermore, the garment may be further reinforced either by additionalself-material or by other materlal, asby elastic suitablyplacedg-without altering the basic characteristics of the invention.

Having thus described one illustrative embodiinent of the invention, itis to be understood that although specific terms are employed, they areused in a generic and de Y scriptive sense and not for purposes oflimitation, the scope of the invention beingset forth in the followingclaims. 7

Claims: Y 1. A fabric blank for the front portion of a womansundergarment compr'ismg a main section havin side edges fashioned todefine the waist an hip areas and a bottom edge having tab-likeextensions at opposite sides of its vertical center line, the uppersection of the blank above said main section being wider thanimmediately lower porbody portion,

tion, the blank being slitted inwardly from its sides between sa1d twosections, vertical cut-outs in the upper section, at opposite sides ofthe vertical center line of the blank, one extending upwardly from theupper edge of each of said slitted formations, and others extendingdownwardly from the top edgev of the blank, in substantial opposition tothose first mentioned.

2. A fabric blank for the front portion of a 'womans undergarmentcomprlsing a main or body section and a bandeau section having a widthgreater than the adjoining upper part of the main section, opposed slitformations extending in from the sides of the'blank between said twosections, and one or more substantially vertical wedgeshaped cut-outformations in the fabric bandeau section above each of said slitformations. J

3. An entire-body-molding knitted foun- 'dation undergarment for Women,to be worn next to the body and to provide a uniforml distributedmolding and form-defining e fect from and includin the bust to andincluding the thighs; sa1d garment comprising a body portiondevoid offront opening and of materially less diameter at the waist region thanat the thigh and bust regions, and being closely andclrcumferentiallyuniformly knitted throughout so that it is inherently and evenly ofmarkedly restrained lateral expansibility, thus providing. an equalmolding and suppressing effect for the entire body below the bust, and aformed shoulder-supported bandeau portion extending transversely acrossthe front top of the of a fabric of similar markedly restrainedexpansibility as the latter, and including pocket-like sectionsroundingly to support'the bust, said garment having at the "base of thebandeau portion transversely extending strip-like reinforcements whichreceive the downward pull of the garment transmitted thereto from thelower garment end, and said garment having 'provisions whereby, duringwear, it can be subjected to a constant downward pull, as'by theattachment of stockings thereto, which cooperates with said structureand shape of the garment to increase its said molding and suppressingeffect.

4.. A knitted foundation garment for wom-.

Ill

" suppress and mold the entire body of the wearer from and including thethighs to the bust, a bust-uplifting and rounding brassiere section atthe top of the garment portion, constructed of a fabric material ofsimilar markedly restrained expansibility and and including two cuppedbust portions for roundingly supporting the bust rather than" said"shoulder straps rather than directly through or across said portions,thereby'to' contribute to the roundingly supporting effect of thebrassiere section, the said construction of the garment as a whole beingsuch, both in point of said form or shape and of said fabric that saidbust-uplifting and body-molding action will be accenuated during wear bya vertical downward pull as by the attachment of garters and stockingsat the garment bottom.

5. A knitted garment for" women for wear next the flesh and to serve asshirt or vest, garter-supporting corset and bust-rounding and upliftingbrassiere or bandeau; said garment being permanently closed at the frontand providing a uniformly distributed, molding-and form-defining effectfrom and including thebust to and including the 6. A knitted foundationgarment for women for wear next the flesh and to serve as shirt or vest,garter-supporting corset and bust-rounding and uplifting brassiere orbandeau; said garment being permanently closed at the front andproviding a uniformly distributed, molding and form-defining effect fromand including the bust to and including the upper thigh portions, and

for that purpose being of soft, pliant fabric that is of markedlyrestrained exparsibility lengthwise and transversely; said garment fromand including its lower part to approximately the bust portion being soclosely and circumferentially uniformly knitted that it is inherentlyand evenly of markedly restrained lateral expansibility, thus providingan equal molding and suppressing effect for the entire body below thebust; said bust-uplifting brassiere or bandeau portion extendingtransversely across and constituting the garment top front, beingcomposed of a fabric of similar markedly restrained elasticity, andbeing provided with shoulderengaging supporting means; said garmenthaving meansatitslower portion, whereby, during wear, it can besubjected to a constant downward pull, said means cooperating with thefabric structure of the garment to increase its molding and suppressingeffect; and said garment including front transversely extendingreenforcing means at the under-bust part of the bandeau portion to whichmeans the said downward pull is transmitted and cooperating with saidshoulder-engaging .supporting means to assist said bust molding anduplifting.

In testimony whereof, I have signed my name to this specification.

HARRIET LYONS REDMOND.

upper thigh portions, and for that purpose i 1 being of soft, pliantfabric that is of markedly restrained expansibility lengthwise andtransversely; said garment from and including its lower part toapproximately the bust portion being so closely and circumferentiallyuniformly knitted that it is inherently and evenly of markedlyrestrained lateral expansibility, thus providing an equal molding andsuppressing effect for the entire body below thebust; said;bust-uplifting brassiere or bandeau portion extending transverselyacross and constituting the garmenttop front, said brassiere or bandeauportion including two bust-uplifting fabric portions havingsubstantially radial shaping formations extending in from their marginsto give them a cupped or pocketlike form, said brassiere or bandeau portion and the adjacent part of the main section of the garment fronthaving transversely disposed reenforcing means to receive downward pullof the garment transmitted thereto from the lower garment end.

